When Sergio returned, he found Lucas sitting on the sofa in his own black pajamas. They sat together in a silence that soon grew heavy.  

“Lucas,” he began hesitantly, breaking the quiet. “I don’t want to inconvenience you. I promise I’ll leave as soon as I can.”  

The professor turned to him with a serious expression, arms crossed. “You’re not inconveniencing me,” he said firmly. “You’re… different now, Sergio. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve known you since we were kids. You’re my childhood friend. That’s why I couldn’t just leave you in such a dangerous place.”  

The freckled man lowered his gaze, fidgeting with the sleeves of the shirt Lucas had lent him.  

“I…” he started to speak, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth.

His friend waited patiently, but when it became clear Sergio wouldn’t continue, he reached over and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.  

“You don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready. Just know you can count on me. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I mean it,” he affirmed.  

Unexpectedly, Sergio looked up, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you for letting me stay. I don’t even know how to put it into words,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.  

Lucas offered a small smile. “You don’t need to say anything else. It’s okay.”  

**  

Later, the professor attempted to prepare dinner, though he admitted cooking wasn’t exactly his strong suit. He could manage simple dishes, but that was about it. Seeing his struggle, Sergio kindly offered to help. With the limited ingredients in the fridge, the freckled man took his time and crafted a delicious soup. Lucas couldn’t help but feel grateful for his company, and when he tasted the dish, it felt like the best homemade meal he’d had in years.  

“This is incredible, Sergio!” Lucas exclaimed, savoring the soup.

“You really like it?” Sergio asked, surprised, looking at the food in front of him.

“Like it? Come on, man,” Lucas replied, incredulous. “How could I not like it? It’s fantastic!”  

The custodian smiled faintly but didn’t say much.

They ate quietly for a while, the warmth of the meal filling the silence. After a few moments, Lucas decided to ask the question that had been on his mind for days.  

“Mmm... Why did you become a custodian? Your drawings are incredible. Didn’t you ever try to make a living as an artist?”  

Sergio sighed and lowered his head. He knew he had to be honest about his past, though the thought of revealing it made him uneasy.  

“It’s… not much of a story, Lucas,” he began hesitantly, his voice quiet. “I guess I just got tired of trying to be something more. After everything I went through as a kid… there are some things I’ve been meaning to tell you.”  

He paused, gathering the courage to continue. Finally, he took a deep breath.  

“I… got the custodian job using fake documentation,” he admitted. “I have... a criminal record. It was a mistake, but… I need you to know the truth.”  

Lucas froze, his spoon midway to his mouth. “A criminal record? For what?”  

Sergio looked down at his hands, avoiding Lucas’s gaze. “For drug trafficking,” he said quietly. “But it’s not what you think. I worked at an illegal factory. I didn’t know the owners were smuggling drugs. I swear, I had no idea.”  

Lucas blinked, struggling to process the confession. “Wait, what?!… You were accused of drug trafficking?”  

“Yes,” Sergio expressed, his voice trembling slightly. “I was just an operator, working more than 12 hours a day. I was deceived like many others, and I couldn’t do anything.  When the authorities found out, I was… arrested. I tried to explain, but no one listened. I ended up in jail.”  

He bit his lip, his shoulders slumping as he continued. “Ever since then, it’s been nearly impossible to find a job. No one trusts someone with a criminal record, even if I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Lucas leaned back in his chair, trying to reconcile this new information with the man sitting across from him. Sergio sat silently, still unable to meet his gaze.